Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should release the thousands of people arrested during the summer unrest this year in the Valley as it did not require the Centre's approval, opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said today.

Normal life remained affected in Kashmir Valley for the 131st consecutive day today due to the unrest triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in July.

Tourism cannot prosper without peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir, said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday even as the Valley has been badly hit by the shutdown called by separatists' leaders.

Several people involved in burning down of schools in Kashmir have been arrested and those responsible for bringing education to a standstill will not be spared, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said here today as she hinted that schools in the Valley may reopen in the coming week after remaining closed for nearly four months.

Despite the unrest in Kashmir showing signs of fatigue, the separatist camp on Wednesday extended the strike till November 10 even as it asked the people to take "necessary measures" to thwart the burning of educational institutions.

Kashmir Private Schools Association (KPSA) today appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to hold annual board examinations as per schedule in the unrest-hit Valley, saying students were not ready for exams and extreme stress could give rise to suicidal tendencies among them.